Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Over the years there have been more than a few composers who have gone to their graves without ever hearing their music performed as they would have liked it, let alone getting a permanent record on disc. Happily Phillip Cooke will not be part of that list as this splendid new release allows us - and him - to hear his music as it should be heard. Full credit to Sarah MacDonald and the Chapel Choir of Selwyn College, Cambridge for an excellent performance and a tip of the hat to Gary Cole and his team for a job well done on the recording side. Phillip Cooke (born 1980) is a new and distinctive British composer. He was born in Penrith and grew up in the Lake District and is currently a lecturer in composition at Aberdeen University. This recording is the first devoted entirely to his music and features a selection of recent sacred and secular choral works suitable for chamber choir. Included are a Morning and an Evening Service which allow us to compare Cooke's approach to these classic texts with the very many others out there. My church tradition does not use these services so perhaps I am not best placed to judge but I did enjoy listening to them. There are three partsongs that did catch my attention: "I Stood On A Tower" with words by Tennyson, "Green" (D H Lawrence) and "How Clear, How Lovely" (Houseman). Also included is Cooke's largest choral work to date. "The Hazel Wood" with words by W B Yeats which reminded me a little of James MacMillan - no bad thing in my opinion. Like MacMillan, Cooke is influenced by his homeland and writes music that is both original and approachable. The choir does him proud and the contributions by Onyx Brass and Timothy Parsons on the organ add to the occasion.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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